xcstrings

Asked on 2025-09-18

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The concept of "xcstrings" is related to the localization features in Xcode, particularly with the use of string catalogs. At WWDC 2025, Apple introduced several enhancements to make localization easier for developers. Here are some key points:

  1. String Catalogs: Xcode now supports string catalogs, which help manage localizable strings more efficiently. These catalogs can automatically discover and sync strings with your code after each build.

  2. Type-Safe Swift Symbols: Developers can now use type-safe Swift symbols for localized strings. These symbols are generated from the string catalog and can be accessed in code, even appearing as autocomplete suggestions.

  3. Generated Symbols: Xcode can generate symbols for strings, allowing developers to separate keys from their values. This helps in iterating on text without changing the code and provides a type-safe way to reference strings.

  4. Automatic Comment Generation: Xcode can automatically generate comments for strings in the catalog, providing context for translators. This is done by analyzing where and how a localized string is used in the project.

  5. Refactoring and Workflow: Xcode offers a refactoring feature to switch between different workflows for managing strings, such as string extraction and using generated symbols.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the session titled "Code-along: Explore localization with Xcode" from WWDC 2025. You can start exploring these features from the Getting started chapter.